By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – Across Japan, Catholic faithful, government leaders, and survivors of wartime atomic bombings are mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away April 21 at 88 from a stroke and heart failure.
The Argentine-born pontiff, who led the Catholic Church for more than a decade, left a deep impression on Japan, especially with his historic visit in November 2019 that emphasized peace, compassion, and a world free of nuclear arms.
Pope Francis was the first pope to set foot in Japan since John Paul II’s visit in 1981. His journey took him to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, two cities forever marked by the devastation of atomic warfare. His call for the elimination of nuclear weapons resonated widely in a country where memories of the bombings endure.
The pope also met with survivors of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, offering words of comfort and solidarity.
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, one of the country’s few Christian politicians, paid tribute to the late pope Monday, describing him as a leader who championed environmental stewardship and peaceful dialogue.
“Since 2013, Pope Francis has dedicated himself to protecting the environment and promoting peaceful diplomacy with a strong voice supported by approximately 1.4 billion Catholics,” Ishiba said in a statement. “The demise of Pope Francis is not only a great loss for the people of Vatican and Catholics, but also for the international community. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Government and people of Japan.”
Ishiba also recalled the pope’s special connection to Japan through the Society of Jesus, noting that Francis had long held hopes for renewed missionary work in the country.
Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya also conveyed condolences, highlighting the role of Francis in deepening diplomatic ties between Japan and the Holy See, and in bringing global attention to peace and environmental causes.
Survivors of the atomic bombings shared in the mourning. Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, a hibakusha group leader in Nagasaki, described the pope’s 2019 address urging nuclear abolition as “inspiring” and said news of his death was “regrettable.”
Within Japan’s Catholic community, Cardinal Isao Kikuchi, archbishop of Tokyo, remembered Pope Francis not only as a global figure but as a warm, accessible pastor.
Recalling their time together during the papal visit to Tokyo, Kikuchi said: “I saw in him a pastor filled with love and mercy, waving to everyone gathered there with a smile of genuine joy and blessing the children.”
Kikuchi, who was made cardinal by Pope Francis just last December, expressed shock at the pope’s passing and pledged to continue carrying forward his mission. “I had even heard clearly from him how I would be able to support him as a cardinal,” he said. “I would like to continue to walk the path he had showed us, following his example, while finding the role he expects me to play.”
Flags were flown at half-staff across government buildings and at the Expo 2025 site in Osaka as a sign of mourning. A flower offering and memorial office were also set up at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Tokyo.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, calling the pope’s death a “huge loss to the international community,” said at a press conference Tuesday that the government is considering sending an official representative to the funeral at St. Peter’s Square on April 26.
Kikuchi is also expected to attend.
Japan’s Catholic population, while small compared to other countries, was estimated at about 422,000 in 2022, according to the Foreign Ministry.
(Photo courtesy of Pope in Japan 2019/Facebook)
